Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda.

MTN Uganda, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, has launched a massive four-month network upgrade project aimed at improving connectivity and service delivery.

The network enhancements started on April 15, 2025, and are expected to finish by July 31, 2025. 

The company promised its customers that the upgrade would make voice calls clearer, data speeds faster, and mobile money transactions quicker.

“The upgrades will significantly improve your experience using our voice, data, and mobile money services. These upgrades will mostly take place during late hours to minimise any inconveniences,” read the notice to customers.

As Uganda’s largest telecoms company with 20.7 million subscribers, MTN stressed that the decision to carry out the work during the night demonstrates its commitment to minimising disruptions while working on the upgrades.

It highlighted that the enhancements are part of a broader strategy: implementing advanced technology, expanding coverage to underserved areas to promote digital inclusion, and meeting Uganda's increasing need for reliable communication infrastructure.

Subscribers across the country have already started experiencing minor service fluctuations due to the ongoing implementation of the enhancements.

However, MTN has reassured users that these interruptions are temporary and necessary to deliver a more robust and efficient network.

Users have cautiously welcomed the initiative, as many have been advocating for improved coverage and faster data speeds, especially in rural and densely populated urban regions.

With Uganda's digital economy growing, MTN's infrastructure investment is crucial in closing the connectivity gap and advancing the country's goal of a digitally empowered society.

The network upgrades follow recent comments by MTN Group president and CEO, Ralph Mupita, that the telco is seeking to enhance its East African presence, and has identified Uganda as a potential crown jewel in its stable of operating companies.

The telco sees the East Africa country as a growing market for data, fintech, and digital infrastructure, which informs the latest upgrades.

“We see significant growth opportunities and increasing contribution towards the group results coming out of Uganda,” Mupita said.